Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma Cost of Living Comparison Between Adama and Jimma

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,006 per month in Adama vs $1,041 in Jimma, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,693 per month in Adama vs $1,436 in Jimma, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,380 per month in Adama vs $1,831 in Jimma, rent included.

Adama is about 3% cheaper than Jimma, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Adama and Jimma are more affordable than the global median – Adama 26% lower, Jimma 24% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.06 ETB 491

$4.65 ETB 748

-34.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.54 ETB 6,834

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.07 ETB 815

Cappuccino

$0.90 ETB 144

$1.15 ETB 184

-21.74%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.60 ETB 96.3

$0.56 ETB 89.8

7.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ETB 49.92

$0.44 ETB 70.9

-29.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.77 ETB 124

$2.84 ETB 456

-72.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 ETB 357

$1.42 ETB 228

57.04%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.84 ETB 135

$1.18 ETB 189

-28.81%

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 ETB 190

$0.37 ETB 58.7

218.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.12 ETB 341

$1.13 ETB 181

87.61%

Eggs

$1.75 ETB 281

$4.14 ETB 665

-57.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.55 ETB 1,213

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.28 ETB 1,652

$11.56 ETB 1,858

-11.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.35 ETB 1,502

$11.62 ETB 1,866

-19.54%

Apples (1kg)

$5.29 ETB 850

$2.34 ETB 377

126.07%

Banana (1kg)

$0.65 ETB 104

$1.18 ETB 190

-44.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.13 ETB 343

$3.53 ETB 566

-39.66%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 ETB 105

$0.60 ETB 96.6

8.33%

Potato (1kg)

$0.46 ETB 73.6

$0.56 ETB 89.7

-17.86%

Onion (1kg)

$1.05 ETB 169

$3.56 ETB 572

-70.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.65 ETB 104

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 ETB 97.3

$0.59 ETB 95.1

3.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.18 ETB 1,313

Wine (Bottle)

$5.54 ETB 889

$6.76 ETB 1,086

-18.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.71 ETB 114

$1.14 ETB 184

-37.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 ETB 206

$1.45 ETB 234

-11.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 ETB 38.62

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.99 ETB 2,247

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.29 ETB 207

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.29 ETB 46.93

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.96 ETB 315

$1.78 ETB 286

10.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 ETB 156

$1.76 ETB 283

-44.89%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$54.6K ETB 8.8M

$52.3K ETB 8.4M

4.40%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$56.0K ETB 9.0M

$57.7K ETB 9.3M

-2.90%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$204 ETB 32.7K

$62.7 ETB 10.1K

224.58%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$7.22 ETB 1,160

$36.62 ETB 5,883

-80.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$212 ETB 34.1K

$316 ETB 50.7K

-32.68%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.41 ETB 5,528

Cinema Ticket

$3.64 ETB 585

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$138 ETB 22.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.7K ETB 4.9M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.59 ETB 5,396

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$70.8 ETB 11.4K

$91.9 ETB 14.8K

-22.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$77.8 ETB 12.5K

$139 ETB 22.4K

-44.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.7 ETB 13.1K

$116 ETB 18.6K

-29.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$347 ETB 55.7K

$216 ETB 34.6K

60.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$198 ETB 31.8K

$161 ETB 25.8K

23.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$982 ETB 157.7K

$424 ETB 68.1K

131.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$816 ETB 131.1K

$322 ETB 51.7K

153.30%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,328 ETB 374.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,154 ETB 185.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$102 ETB 16.3K

$230 ETB 37.0K

-55.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

18.5

105.56%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Adama: September 14, 2026

Last update for Jimma: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $347 in Adama versus $216 in Jimma. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 127% higher in Jimma, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Adama vs Jimma: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,006 in Adama, $1,041 in Jimma – roughly 3% apart. Jimma costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,509 per month in Adama and $1,561 in Jimma. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Adama, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,006 in Adama and $1,041 in Jimma. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Jimma – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Adama, where all-in costs run around $1,006, than in Jimma at $1,041. In Adama it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jimma it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Adama – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Adama. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jimma makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.